How Long Does It Take to Write a Book? Plan for Efficiency

How Long Does It Take to Write a Book? Plan for Efficiency

Updated On:

AI Newsletter

Have you ever wondered how long does it take to write a book? It’s a question that doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all answer, but it’s certainly one that tickles the curiosity of many authors.

The process of writing a book is influenced by a variety of factors. These can range from the writer’s daily routine to the genre and complexity of the book you’re working on.

In this article, we’ll explore the average time it takes to write a book, and include some factors that can shorten or extend this process. Whether you’re planning to write your first novel or are just curious about it, we’re here to shed some light on what it takes to turn your ideas into a published work.

How Long Does It Take to Write a Book?

How Long Does It Take to Write a Book?

Realistically, you can write around 3000 to 5000 words in a day, on average, so for a book of 350 pages or about 90.000 words, you would need between 20 and 30 days for writing alone, taken that you write every day.

However, there are numerous stages from having an idea to publishing your book, like planning and research, writing, editing, and all of them combined affect how long does it take to write a book.

Besides, your motivation and the time you spend writing every day, as well as the amount of proofreading and editing you have to do play a big role here too, as well as the length of the book itself.

Factors That Affect Writing Time

When you decide to write a book, several things can change how long it’ll take.

It’s not just about sitting down and writing; it’s also about your daily habits, what you’re writing, how much research you need, and your everyday life.

Let’s take a closer look at these factors.

  1. Daily Writing Habits – Setting a goal for how many words you write each day can really help. If you know you want to write 500 words every day, you can plan better and see how long it might take to finish your book. Some days you might write more, and some days less, but having a goal keeps you moving forward.
  2. Type of Book – What you’re writing also changes the time needed. Writing a story (novel) might take longer than writing about something you know a lot about (non-fiction). Some books need you to create a whole world or complex characters, which takes more time.
  3. Research Requirements – If you need to learn a lot about a topic before you write, like for a history book or a science guide, this research can add more time. The more you need to find out, the longer it might take before you even start writing the main part of your book.
  4. Personal Schedule – Your daily life plays a big role, too. If you have a job, school, or family to take care of, finding time to write can be tricky. But it’s not impossible. Some people write early in the morning or late at night. When you write isn’t as important as making sure you do write.

Understanding these parts can help you see how long writing your book might take. It’s different for everyone, but knowing what affects the time can help you plan better and maybe even find ways to write your book faster.

Planning and Outlining

Planning and Outlining

When you think about writing a book, it might seem like a huge mountain to climb. But there’s a secret tool that can turn that mountain into a series of small, easy steps – planning and outlining.

Imagine you’re going on a trip. You wouldn’t just jump in the car and drive, right? You’d look at a map, plan your stops, and maybe even check out some spots to eat along the way.

That’s what planning and outlining are all about. They help you see the whole trip from start to finish before you even begin.

Planning is when you decide what your book is going to be about. You think about the story you want to tell or the information you want to share.

This is your chance to decide who’s in your book, what happens, and how it all ends. It’s like planning your route on a map.

Outlining goes a step further. It breaks down the plan into smaller parts, like chapters or sections. You get to decide what happens in each part, kind of like picking the sights you want to see each day of your trip.

This makes writing a lot easier because you already know what you’re writing about each time you sit down.

And if you already have a solid idea in your head, the process of planning and outlining can take as little as one day, two tops if you want to check, double-check, and revise.

With a good outline, writing becomes a breeze. You can focus on how to say what you want to say, instead of figuring out what to say in the first place.

And if you’re worried about losing creativity, don’t be. Outlining doesn’t lock you in; it guides you.

You can always take a detour if you find a more interesting path. But having that initial plan means you’re never lost. It keeps your story or content on track, so you end up with a finished book that makes sense and is enjoyable to read.

So, if you’re thinking about writing a book, take the time to plan and outline first. It might seem like extra work at the beginning, but it’s actually a huge time-saver.

Plus, it makes the whole writing process a lot less stressful. You’ll know exactly where you’re going, and you’ll get there much faster.

Writing Process

Writing Process

Writing a book is a big task, but breaking it down into steps makes it more manageable. Here’s what the process usually looks like, from starting your first draft to making your final changes.

Most people can write about 3.000 to 5.000 words per day, so if you really sit and write every day around this amount of words, you can write a 350 page book in a month, easy.

Of course, this is just the writing of the first draft.

The first draft is all about getting your ideas down. Don’t worry about making everything perfect. Just focus on writing.

Think of it as telling the story to yourself. You’re laying down the bones of your book, and it’s okay if it’s messy. The goal is to finish, not to be perfect.

After you finish your first draft, take a break from it. When you come back, you’ll see your work with fresh eyes.

Now, start making changes. This is where you fix big problems like parts of the story that don’t make sense or chapters that seem out of place. You might end up rewriting whole sections, but that’s part of the process.

You have to be prepared, though, that your ideas might change and you might spend even more time on revising that you did on the first draft.

Now, editing is where you zoom in on the details. Look for mistakes in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Check your facts, and make sure everything is consistent, like character names and places.

This step might take a few rounds. You can do some of it yourself, but it’s also a good idea to have someone else look at your work. They can catch things you missed.

Then, the last step is making your final revisions. This is your chance to polish your work and make sure it’s the best it can be. Read through your book one more time, looking for anything that could be better.

Maybe there’s a better word for something, or a sentence that could be clearer.

Once you’re done with this step, your book is ready to go out into the world. Whether you’re looking to publish traditionally or self-publish, you’ve now finished the writing part of the journey.

This process, from first draft to final revision, is a big job. But by taking it step by step, you make your big goal of writing a book something you can achieve.

Remember, every book you’ve ever loved went through this process. Now yours has, too.

All in all, this process can take from a few month to even a few years for some authors, but that’s a rare case.

It all depends on your vision and how happy you are with your work!

Editing and Revising

Editing and Revising

Editing and revising are crucial steps in writing a book. They significantly impact the quality of your work and can add to the overall timeline of your writing process.

This is where you take your first draft and turn it into something better. It’s about making sure your ideas are clear and your story flows well.

This stage is about looking at the big picture and making sure everything fits together perfectly.

When you edit, you focus on the language and expression. You refine your sentences, making them clearer and more impactful. It’s also when you ensure your writing style is consistent throughout the book.

Revising goes deeper. It involves rethinking parts of your book, like the structure, the pacing of the story, or the development of your characters.

You might find that some parts need more detail, while others need to be cut out because they don’t add to the story.

How It Adds to the Overall Timeline

Editing and revising can significantly extend the time it takes to finish your book. It’s not unusual for this stage to take as long as, or even longer than, writing the first draft.

That’s because it often requires multiple rounds. You might go through your book several times, making different kinds of changes each time.

First, you might focus on big changes, like reorganizing chapters. Then, in another round, you could focus on refining the language. After that, you might do a final pass to catch any small errors.

This part of the process is where patience is key. It can be tempting to rush through editing and revising to get your book published.

But taking the time to do this step right is what turns a good book into a great one. It ensures that when readers pick up your book, they’re getting the best version of your story.

Publishing

Publishing

After you’ve finished writing, editing, and revising your manuscript, getting it published is the next big step. This part of the journey is separate from the actual writing and can take a different amount of time, depending on a few things.

Publishing involves several stages, like finding an agent (if you’re going the traditional route), submitting your manuscript to publishers, and going through the publication process once your book is accepted.

If you decide to self-publish, you’ll have tasks like finding the best self-publishing companies, formatting your book, designing the cover, and figuring out distribution.

The time from finishing your manuscript to seeing your book published can vary widely.

In traditional publishing, it could take anywhere from a few months to a couple of years. This includes the time to find an agent, the agent finding a publisher, and the publisher’s schedule for releasing your book.

The process includes editing, design, marketing, and distribution, all handled by the publisher.

For self-publishing, the timeline can be shorter, as you have more control over the process.

However, you’ll need to manage or outsource aspects like editing, design, and marketing yourself, which also takes time to coordinate.

Regardless of the path you choose, publishing is a significant step that requires careful planning and patience. It’s exciting to see your book come to life, but it’s important to understand that this phase extends the timeline of your book’s journey from manuscript to a published work.

Tips to Speed Up the Writing Process

Tips to Speed Up the Writing Process

When you’re working on writing a book, finding ways to speed up the process without compromising quality can make a huge difference.

Here are some practical tips to make writing more efficient, including an innovative tool that could revolutionize how you approach your next project.

1. Use AI Automateed

For those looking for a quicker solution, AI Automateed is a game-changer.

This tool takes your book from concept to completion with minimal effort on your part, and minimal amount of time invested.

You could literally have your book written, proofread and edited in 15 minutes. Even images will be done for you automatically by the tool! All you have left to do is publish it on Amazon KDP or other self-publishing platform.

Just provide AI Automateed with your book’s title, target audience, and preferred tone or style, and it will generate a detailed outline featuring 15 chapters, each with three subchapters.

From there, you can fine-tune the outline or let the tool take over, producing a roughly 90-page book complete with a table of contents, chapters, images, and even a cover.

The content is entirely original, belonging to you, and ready to sell.

Even if you’re not sure what you want to write about, AI Automateed also offers features to spark inspiration, including niche and title suggestions, and can even help craft marketing campaigns for social media and beyond.

It’s an all-in-one tool designed to make the writing and publishing process as seamless as possible.

Here is a rundown on the process so you can see how fast and simple it really is:

2. Set a Consistent Writing Schedule

One of the most effective ways to speed up your writing process is to create and stick to a consistent writing schedule.

Whether it’s an hour every morning before the rest of your household wakes up or a dedicated time in the evening after work, having a routine can significantly boost your productivity.

It’s about making writing a habit, so it becomes a regular part of your day, just like eating or sleeping.

3. Join a Writing Group

Sometimes, motivation comes from being around others with similar goals. Joining a writing group can provide the encouragement and accountability you need to keep going.

Sharing your progress, receiving feedback, and seeing how others tackle their writing challenges can inspire you to push through your own.

Plus, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people who understand the ups and downs of writing.

4. Use Writing Tools

There are numerous writing tools available that can help you organize your thoughts, correct grammar and spelling, and even keep track of your progress.

Tools like Scrivener for organizing and drafting, Grammarly for editing, and Trello for planning can save you time and make the writing process smoother.

By integrating these strategies into your writing routine, you can make the journey from idea to published book faster and more enjoyable.

Whether you prefer traditional methods like setting schedules and joining writing groups or innovative technologies like AI Automateed, there’s a wealth of resources available to support your writing goals.

Conclusion

Writing a book is a unique journey for everyone, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how long it takes to write a book. The time can vary widely based on factors like your writing habits, the type of book, how much research is needed, and your personal schedule.

By understanding the stages of writing, from planning and outlining to editing and publishing, and utilizing tools and strategies to streamline the process, you can make it more efficient. Remember, the key is consistency and dedication, no matter how long it takes to reach the finish line.

FAQ

How long should it take to write a 300-page book?

Writing a 300-page book typically takes anywhere from 4 to 9 months, depending on your daily writing output, planning, and whether you have a clear outline. This timeframe includes drafting and initial revisions.

Can I write 100 pages in a day?

Writing 100 pages in a day is highly unlikely for most writers due to the mental and physical demands of writing. A more realistic daily goal is 5 to 10 pages, ensuring quality and manageability.

How long does it take to write a novella?

Writing a novella, which is shorter than a novel but longer than a short story, can take anywhere from a month to three months. This depends on the length (usually 20,000 to 40,000 words) and how consistently you write.

Stefan

Stefan is the founder of Automateed. A content creator at heart, swimming through SAAS waters, and trying to make new AI apps available to fellow entrepreneurs.

Explore our eBook Creation & Marketing Tools

(Click on any to open the tool ↓)

Informational Ebook Subniche Ideas Creator

Dive deep into your niche with our Informational Ebook Subniche Ideas tool. It helps you find specific areas that aren't as crowded, giving your ebook a better chance to shine and attract a dedicated audience.

Novel Ideas Generator

Stuck on what your next big novel should be about? Our Novel Ideas tool throws exciting suggestions your way, sparking your creativity and helping you start your storytelling journey with a bang.

Novel Title Ideas Creator

Find the perfect catchy title for your novel with our Novel Title Ideas tool. It's all about grabbing attention and making sure your book stands out from the rest right from the get-go.

Informational Ebook Niche Ideas

Not sure which niche to tackle in your next ebook? Our Informational Ebook Niche Ideas tool offers fresh insights into profitable niches that cater to your interests and market demand.

Informational Ebook Title Ideas

Get your ebook noticed with a title that piques curiosity. Our Informational Ebook Title Ideas tool helps you craft compelling titles that draw readers in from the very first glance.

Book Summary (Amazon KDP)

Catch readers' eyes with a killer book summary. Our Book Summary tool for Amazon KDP crafts concise, enticing summaries that give potential readers a tantalizing glimpse into your book.

Keyword Research for Amazon KDP

Optimize your Amazon listings with our Keyword Research tool for Amazon KDP. It helps you discover the keywords that potential readers are using, boosting your book's visibility and sales.

Novel Outline Creator

Turn that novel idea into a structured masterpiece. Our Novel Outline tool guides you through the process of building a coherent and captivating story framework step by step.

Informational Ebook Topic Ideas

Keep your ebooks fresh and interesting. Our Informational Ebook Topic Ideas tool generates a variety of topics that will engage your readers and keep them coming back for more.

Book Appendix

Add valuable content to your book with ease. Our Book Appendix tool helps you create detailed appendices that enrich your readers' understanding and enhance the overall value of your book.

Author Bio Generator

Let readers know who's behind the great read. Our About the Author Page Builder crafts engaging author bios that connect personally with your audience and build your author brand.

AI Short Story Generator

Spark the imagination of young readers. Our Short Story Creator for children helps you come up with fun, engaging stories that entertain and educate kids.

AI Short Poem Generator

Delight little ones with rhythmic magic. Our Short Poem Creator for children guides you in crafting short, catchy poems that are perfect for early readers.

Course Subniche Ideas

Explore untapped markets with our Course Subniche Ideas tool. It's perfect for finding specialized topics that can make your online courses highly sought after.

AI Course Name Generator

Captivate potential students right away with intriguing course titles generated by our Course Title Ideas tool. It’s all about making a great first impression.

AI Course Outline Generator

Build your course with confidence! Our Course Outline Builder helps you organize your material in a way that's both educational and engaging, ensuring a rewarding learning experience for your students.

AI Target Audience Problem Generator

Understand and solve the challenges your audience faces. Our Target Audience Problems tool helps you identify and address the specific issues that your potential customers are trying to resolve.

Target Audience Brainstorm

Get to know your audience better than ever. Our Target Audience Brainstorm tool offers insights into what your audience desires, helping you tailor your content and products to meet their expectations.

Quiz Creator

Engage your audience with fun and interactive quizzes. Our Quiz Creator tool makes it easy to design quizzes that entertain, educate, and even collect valuable data from participants.

AI Blog Post Idea Generator

Never run out of topics with our Blog Post Ideas tool. It generates a range of topics based on current trends and your blog’s focus, to keep your content calendar bustling.

AI Cold Email Writer

Make a great first impression with our Cold Email tool. Write effective introductory emails that capture attention and open doors to new business opportunities.

AI Email Writer

Launch successful email campaigns that captivate and convert. Our Email Campaign tool helps you create targeted messages that resonate with your audience.

Instagram Carousel

Bring your Instagram to life with our Instagram Carousel tool. Create stunning multi-photo posts that tell a story and increase engagement with your followers.

AI Marketing Strategy Generator

Plan your path to success with our Marketing Strategy tool. It guides you through creating a comprehensive strategy that aligns with your business goals and market needs.